Review Summary: Overall, Sore Eyes have crafted a great alternative rock record. If you’re looking for an energetic album to listen to, or just alternative pop/rock with a harder kick, look no further than this EP.
Sore Eyes- Sore Eyes EP Review
First, imagine A Day To Remember. Then, edit out all the screaming, most of the heavier instrumentation, mix in a lighter version of both Chevelle and Saosin, bring in a higher pitched vocalist, and there you have Memphis rock band Sore Eyes. Indeed, after various lineup changes and recording in Orlando, this four-piece created their energetic blend of alternative rock, hard rock, and pop rock, with both emo and post-hardcore influences. It’s a great, accessible record with enough edginess to be a rock album, but enough pop sounds to be accessible.
Sore Eyes (circa 2009):
Shi Eubank- Vocals
Jeremiah Lipscomb- Guitar
Landon Fox- Bass
Chris Whitman- Drums
Energetic rockers “OMG” and “Deadly” show the guys at their best: Jeremiah’s guitar leads and riffs, Shi’s heavily passionate vocals not quite going into screams, and pounding drums from Chris. Shi sounds like a mix of the vocalist of A Day To Remember and Stephen Christian, occasionally getting a little grittier. “OMG” is also a great live track, with Shi encouraging the crowd, and the rest of the band having a great time. “My Promise” and “One Good Reason” are the slower tracks of the record, sporting much more of a pop rock sound. “My Promise” sounds like an A Day To Remember b-side, but it’s still highly enjoyable and original. There’s some gang vocals that work pretty well later on in the song as well, and a mini-solo that compliments the song well. “One Good Reason” is much slower, sounding like an alternative rock ballad. Shi has much more of a quiet tone throughout the song, even getting raspy at times. Both Jeremiah and Chris get to show off a little bit throughout the verses, with Chris’ great playing, and Jeremiah’s octaves and mini-solos. This is also the only track in which you can really hear Landon Fox, and although his playing isn't anything amazing, he does a decent job helping propel the song. The short EP then ends, only about ten to fifteen minutes long.
Positives include the band’s overall energy, they all sound like they love what they are doing. Shi has a great voice that he truly uses to it’s full potential, and Jeremiah is a talented guitar player, with great riffs and mini-solos throughout. Both Landon and Chris do a good job keeping the beat as well. Also, the band acknowledges their influences for sure, but they don’t rip them off. They don’t sound too generic, and have enough of their own sound to be original. Production is also good, it’s not perfect, but the edgy sound it gives everything, especially the guitar, helps get the listener into the music even more. Finally, the band has a good mix of harder rock and pop. They aren't “too heavy”, but they aren't “too poppy”, either. Negatives are few, but there are some. The first is the length, it ends pretty quickly. While I understand that the band was just starting out and trying to play it safe, it seems a full-length would have given more exposure to their music. Also, as typical on rock records, the bass is barely audible, and you can really only hear it on one track.
Lyrically, the songs are pretty much about dealing with lost love, with a little bout of angst thrown in for good measure. It’s a pretty typical approach, but Sore Eyes does it well. Overall, Sore Eyes have crafted a great alternative rock record. If you’re looking for an energetic album to listen to, or just alternative pop/rock with a harder kick, look no further than this EP.
